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Postprandial gastric acid secretion in infants
Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
|November 1, 1983
Insights
Infant formula intake stimulates gastric acid secretion in healthy infants. Studies show a significant drop in gastric pH and measurable acid output within two hours after feeding.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infant Nutrition
- Digestive Physiology
Background:
- Understanding gastric acid secretion is crucial for infant health and development.
- Infant formula composition can influence digestive processes.
- Limited data exists on the specific gastric acid response to infant formula in early infancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gastric acid secretion patterns in healthy infants fed infant formula.
- To quantify the immediate postprandial gastric acid output in response to formula.
- To assess changes in gastric pH following formula intake.
Main Methods:
- Studied 8 healthy infants aged 4 to 24 weeks.
- Employed intragastric volume determination using a marker.
- Measured gastric content acidity and calculated acid output.
Main Results:
- Gastric pH decreased from 7 to 5.2 within the 2-hour postprandial period.
- One-hour postprandial gastric acid output averaged 236 +/- 49 mumol/kg body weight.
- Demonstrated a clear acid secretory response to infant formula.
Conclusions:
- Infant formula effectively stimulates gastric acid production in healthy infants.
- The measured acid output suggests a robust digestive response.
- Findings provide baseline data for infant formula digestion studies.
Abstract:
Gastric acid secretion in response to meals of infant formula was studied in 8 healthy infants aged 4 to 24 weeks. The technique involved intragastric volume determinations using a marker and measurement of the acidity of the gastric contents. In the 2-hour postprandial period, pH declined from 7 to 5.2. The one-hour postprandial gastric acid output was 236 +/- 49 mumol/kg body weight.